Finley Kumble Wagner Underberg Manley Myerson Casey

The Beverly Hills and Los Angeles offices of the country's fourth-largest law firm, New York-based Finley, Kumble, Wagner, Underberg, Manley, Myerson & Casey, began liquidating at the close of business Tuesday, a West Coast spokesman for the firm confirmed. The impending demise of the 20-year-old firm became known publicly about six weeks ago. It has been struggling under a debt load estimated at $60 million to $85 million.

The Beverly Hills and Los Angeles offices of the country's fourth-largest law firm, New York-based Finley, Kumble, Wagner, Underberg, Manley, Myerson & Casey, began liquidating at the close of business Tuesday, a West Coast spokesman for the firm confirmed. The impending demise of the 20-year-old firm became known publicly about six weeks ago. It has been struggling under a debt load estimated at $60 million to $85 million.

Richard W. Traweek, a Los Angeles real estate syndicator, was surfing along the very crest of success. He was still under 40 years old and had already raised more than $120 million from investors in 38 real estate limited partnerships. He had reaped millions of dollars from the multiple fees that characterize such enterprises. He was a major political player as well, donating big money and hosting fund-raisers for prominent politicians of both parties, state and national.

Richard W. Traweek, a Los Angeles real estate syndicator, was surfing along the very crest of success. He was still under 40 years old and had already raised more than $120 million from investors in 38 real estate limited partnerships. He had reaped millions of dollars from the multiple fees that characterize such enterprises. He was a major political player as well, donating big money and hosting fund-raisers for prominent politicians of both parties, state and national.

Rodney J. Blonien, formerly undersecretary of California's Youth and Adult Correctional Agency, has been named a partner of the international law firm of Finley, Kumble, Wagner, Heine, Underberg, Manley, Myerson & Casey and will head the firm's Sacramento branch.

Michael Oliver, an entertainment lawyer and former executive vice president of ICM, has been named counsel to the law firm of Finley, Kumble, Wagner, Heine, Underberg, Manley, Myerson & Casey. He will work from its Beverly Hills entertainment department.

Sen. Paul Laxalt (R-Nev.) will join a New York law firm as a senior policy adviser but will remain in Washington to help President Reagan in any way he can, it was announced Tuesday. Laxalt will become a partner in Finley, Kumble, Wagner, Heine, Underberg, Manley, Myerson & Casey.